Grate bar



March 21, 1933. J 3 THOMPSON 1,902,595

GRATE BAR Filed m 1, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 2- ig-.3. Z/ Z.? Z/

luv OR ATTORNEY? March 21, 1933. J. 5 THQMPSQN 1,992,595

' GRA'IE BAR Filed July 1, .1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QR m ATTORNEY5 Patented Mar. 21, 1933 UNITED. STATES,

[PATENT OFFICE JAMES s. 'rnomsonion NEW ROGVIQIELLE, NEW YORK, 'AssIGNonTormEBAn; oonroj narrow, or onnvnnannomo; A conrorm'rron on DELAWARE. l

' GRATE nan Application meat July 1,

This invention relatesto grate bars of the heavy duty type and is concerned more particularly with a novel grate bar which comprises a carrier bar and a plurality of fuelsupporting units or fingers removably mounted thereon. The new grate bar is especiallyadapted for use in locomotives, boiler furnaces, .etc.

and may be mounted in a'frame or-us'ed as part of a traveling grate, as desired. For, purposes of explanation, an embodiment of theinvention suitable. for use in a locomotive will be illustrated and described. in detail.

The new grate bar comprises a carrier which includes a pair of spaced longitudinal.

supporting members and a plurality of fuel supporting units mounted on the members and having portionswhich extend down between the members and underlie the latter so as to secure the units against accidental displacement. Preferably each unit terminates at its lower end in a neck with a locking member, for example, in the form of'a transverse end-piece, the length of which is greater than the distance between the two members of the carrier. At its ends, the carrier is provided with upstanding arms with trunnions and each arm has a passage formed through it wide enough to permit the end-pieces. of the units to pass freely. By tilting the end unit of the carrier, that unit may be removed from the carrier with the end-piece on the neck of the unit moving through the passage in the trunnion arm, but when the unit is in normal upright position on the carrier, itsend-piece underlies the carrier and prevents it from being thrown clear when the carrier is rocked to shake or dump the grate.

As another feature, the novel grate bar is constructed to give a wide opening during rocking to facilitate the passage of ashes to the ash-pan. For the purpose, the top surface of each member of the carrier is inclined to the horizontal with a downward inclination away from the longitudinal axis of the carrier. Each unit has correspondingly in- .1931. seri l 1%. 548,124.

cl ine d' surfaces resting on the supporting surfaces ofthe carrier and the units do not fit the carrier snugly but have av considerable freedom of angular movement relative to the carrier about the longitudinal axis of. the latter. By reason of the formation of the supporting surfaces on' the carrier :as 'described, the. rocking of the carrier during shaking causes each unit to continue its angular movement through an angle greater than that through which the carrier travels.

The units consequently assume a more'nearly vertical position than the top of the carrier,

and the units on adjacent carriers in. the" grate provide a greater opening between them than they would if they were rigidly mounted on the carriers. 7

tion of the carrier illustrating the manner" in which the units are removed therefrom;

. Fig. 5 is a view inside elevation of aportion of a carrier showinga pair. of units in place thereon; r Fig. 6 is a plan view of a portion of a carrier with one unit in place thereon; and

'Fig. 7 is a view; similar to Fig. 1 showing the relative movement of the fuel-supporting units and carrier during rocking of the carrier.

' Referring now to the drawings, the grate bar of the invention comprises a carrier which consists of a pair of longitudinal sup- V porting members 10 spaced apart to forma 1 slot 11 extendingthrough the carrier from top to bottom and from end to end thereof. The supporting members 10 are connected at their ends, for example, by upstanding armsand these surfaces are upwardly convergent as illustrated for a purpose presently to be described. i

Mounted on the carrier are fuel-support ing units, one'of which is illustrated in side elevation in Fig. 1; Theseunits comprise a body 17 preferably inthe shape of a plate provided on one or both sides with vertical lugs 18 spaced apart to provide air passages 19 for upwardly flow of air to the fuel rest ing on the unit. The lugs which lie at the middle of the unit and are designated 18a are not quite so thick as the others, and this facilitates mounting the unit on the carrier,

'as'willpresently be described. Atthe top,

' the unit is provided with a plurality'of small projections '20 preferably arranged in groups of four, as illustrated in Fig. 6 with the units of each group separated by intersecting air channels 21, 22 and the groups of units separated by anair channel23 which extends lengthwise of the unit. Withthis arrangement, air flowing up throughthe passages 19 and also between adjacent units on the carrier may flow across the top of the unit in the air channels 21, 22, 23 cooling the projections and affording a wide distribution of airto the fuel bed. l

Formed on the under surface of each unit are spaced projections 24 having'inclined seats 25 on their adjacent faces. These seats converge upwardly and their slope is'similar to that of the supporting surfaces 16 on the carrier so that when a unit'is in place on the carrier and the latter is in upright position, the units rest in upright position with their tops horizontal and with their seats in contact'with the supporting surfaces on the spaced members of the carrier as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Extending "downwardly from the under surface of each unit between the lugs 24 is a neck26 terminating at its lowerend in a transverse end-piece 27 The neck is considerably narrower than the width of the slot defined by the two supporting members 10 of the carrier and the neck is considerably longerthan the depth of these members. The end-piece 27 is wider than the slot so that a unit cannot be lifted free of the carrier by a direct upward movement.

,Inorder toprovide for removal of the units, one or both of the arms 12 is cut away to form a passage 29 which is in communication with the end of the slot 11. .This passage extends at an angle to the arm as shown vented from approaching each other too closely by means of the spacers but there is r considerable play in the group and this is provided so that the units may be removed from the carrier.

- In this operation, all of the units are moved close together toward one endof the car'- r rier and the unit at theother end of the group is then tilted at an angle, as shown in Fig. 4 until its end-piece 27 passes underneath the end of the arm 12 and into registry with the passage 29. The unit can now be. moved free of the'carrier with-the endpiece moving through the passage; Since the middle lugs 18a on the units are notso thick as the others, they permit theuseofa passage narrower in a direction lengthwise of the carrier than would be otherwiserthe case. These operationsmay be repeated until all .or as many oftheunits as desiredare removed. *VVhen the unitsare in their ordinary positions, the send units cannot'be accidentally dislodged because the second-unit from the end lies too close to the end unit to permit thelatter to be tilted to the extent required to remove it. However, when all the units are moved manually toward one arm, F

the unit at the other end of the group is afforded suflicient spaceyfor removal in the manner described.

- It will be observed that the piece on each unit have. a loose fit with the carrier and as a consequence, each unit has a considerable freedom of angular movement relative to the carrier about the longitudinalaxis of the latter. '1 This results in the units vibrating when the gratebar is installed in a structure, such as a locomotive, which is subject to shocks and jars, and, in addition, the angular movement relative to the car'- rier which is permitted to the units makes it possible to provide for a wide openingbetween adjacent grate bars when the bars are rocked. The wide opening effect is facilitated by making the supporting surfaces 16 on the carrierupwardly convergent.

The wide opening effect is illustrated in Fig. 7, in which the, grate bar is shown in a position which may be considered to be that which it would occupy at the extreme end of its rocking movement during shaking. If

the unit 17 shown in that figure were rigidly secured to the carrier, the unit would be tilted from the horizontal through an angle the neck and endsame as that through which the carrier is I rocked. However, when the carrier has been rocked through this angle,which, as'shown,

,bars during shaking depends .onthe angleis approximately 45, it will be apparent that the seat 25a of the unit is supported by the surface 16a whichhas become substantially horizontal, but the'surface 16bhas assumed a substantiallyvertical position and offers no supportto the seat 25a; As a consequence, when the carrier is rocked fromthe vertical to the'angular position illustrated in Fig. 7,

the removal of the support normally afforded by the surface 16b and'the momentum of the unit results in the unit continuing its angular travel until it occupies the dotted line position in Fig. 7 In this position, one end27a of the end-piece on the neck 26 engages beneath the'supp'orting member 10a of the carrier and the unitis otherwise supthrough by the carrier produces a greater opening between adjacent grate bars for dumping than would be the case if the units were rigidly secured to the carr'ierl The extent of the opening between adjacent grate to which the units are inclined to the horizontal. If the units are rigid on the carrier Q and the, latter is moved'through an angle of 45, the units will be similarly moved through an angle of 45 to thehorizontal. In grate bars of this invention, however, the units travel through a greater angle than the carrier by reason of the loose mounting "of the units on the carrier, and'because of this greater displacement of the units from the horizontal, wider dump openings between adjacent grate bars are provided. In Fig. 7 it will be seen that the point 30 on the unit loosely mounted on the carrier is farther from the fuel-supporting unit on the adjacent grate bar than the corresponding point 31;on a rigidly mounted unit. Similarly, the point 32 on the loosely mounted unit isfarther from the cross bar on the adjacent unit than the point 33 on the rigidly mounted unit.

By giving the units the freedom of angular movement relative to the carrier about the longitudinal axis of the'latter, it is possible to obtain the wide dump openings" and the provision of supporting surfaces on the carrier members 10 which are upwardly convergent as shown insures that the movement of the units relative the carrier will take place when the carrier is rocked. The carrierand units of the new grate bar maybe made ofany suitable material and I contemplate making the carrier of cast iron or steel and the units either of cast metal or of sheet metal. Units of the latter construction areillustrated in my applica tions Serial Nos. 76,265, 54:6,778 and 546,779 filed August 19, 1980, June 25, 1931, and June 25, 1931, respectively. I

I claim a 1; A grate bar whichcomprisesthe com- I bination of a carrier made up of a pair of supporting members connected at their ends by arms andsspaced apart to define an opening through the carrier from top tobottom and substantially the full length thereoffand a plurality of fuel-supporting units on the carrier, each having apart extending through said opening and provided with a portionunderlyingsaidmembers and of .a greater over-all .width than the width of the space between said members, at least one-ofsaid arms having a passage communicating with said opening and of a size to permit'said por tions of the units to be moved through it.

2. A- grate bar which comprises the'combination of a carrier made up of a pair of supporting members connected at their endsby arms and spaced apart to define an opening through the carrier from top to bottom and substantially the full length thereof, and a plurality of fuel-supp0rting units on theca'rf i .rier, each having apart extending through said opening and provided with a portion underlying said members and of azgreater overl-all 'width than the width of the space between said members, said part of each unit having a loose fit in the opening to allowthe unit to have a limitedfreedom of, movement relative to the carrier about the longitudinal axis of the latter and at least one ofsaid arms having a passage communicating with said opening and of, a size to permit: said portionsofthe units to be moved through it.

3. A grate bar which comprises the combination of a carrier made up of a pair of supporting members connected at their ends by arms and spaced apart to define an openingthroughthe carrier from top to vbottom I and substantially the full length thereof, and

a plurality of fuel-supporting units on the carrier, each having ,appart I extending through said opening and provided with a portion underlying said membersand of a greaterover-all width than the width ofthe space between said members, said part of each unit having a loose fit in the opening to allow the unitto have a limited freedom of movement relative to the carrier aboutthe longitudinal axis of the latter with said movement limited by engagement of said portion of the unit with oneof said members, and at least one of said arms having a pas sage through it communicating with said opening andof a size to permit said portions of the units to bemoved through it.

, 4. A grate bar which comprises the combination of a carrier made up of a pair of supporting members connected at their ends by arms and spaced apart to define an open slot fromend to end of the carrier, said mem i bers having supportingtsurfaces upwardly;

convergent, andv a plurality of fuel-supportmg units mounted on saidsurfaces, each unit having a part entering said slot and provided with a portion of greater over-all width than the Width of theslot, said part having a loose lit in said slot to permit said unit to have an angular movement relativeto said carrier tabout the longitudinal axis of the carrier, one-of said arms having a passage through it communicating with said slot and of a size topermitsaid portion to be moved through it.

5.. A grate bar which comprises the combination of a carrier made up of a pair'of supporting members connected at their ends by arms and spaced apart to define an open slot from end to end of the carrier, onexof said arms having a passage in it of greater width than the slot and communicating with the slot and said members having supportlng surfaces upwardly convergent, and a plurality of fuel-supporting units having spaced seats upwardly convergent and engaging the supporting surfaces on the carrier, each unlt having a part entering sa1d slot and provided with a portion of greater over-all width than'the width of the slot, saidpart having a loose fit in said slot to permit said unit to have an angular movement" relative to said carrier about the longitudinal axis ofthe carrier, the seats on said unit moving away piece of greater length than the width of the slot and preventing free removal of sald unit from the carrier, and a passage formed in at least one arm large enough to permit the end pieces on the units to pass there through.

7. A grate bar which comprises the combination of a carrier made up of apair of supporting members connected at their ends byarms and spaced apart to define an open slot through the carrier from end to end thereof, and a plurality of fuel-supportlng units, each having a neck passing through 7 said slot and'terminating in a transverse end piece of greater length than the width of the slot and preventing free removal of said unit from the carrier, and a passage formed in at least one arm and extending at an angle to the arm, said passage being large enough to permit the end pieces on the units to pass therethrough.

8. A grate bar which comprises the combination of a carrier made up of a pair of supporting members connected at their ends by arms and spaced apart to define an open slot through the carrier from end to end thereof, and a plurality of fuel-supporting units, each having a neck passing through said slot and terminating in a transverse end piece of greater length than the width of the slot and preventing free removal of said unit from the carrier, the neck and end piece being proportioned to fit loosely in theslot to permit said unit to have an angular movement relative to said carrier about the longitudinal at least one arm largeenough to permit the end pieces on the units to pass therethrough.

9. A grate bar which comprises the combination of a carrier made up of a pair .of supporting members connected at their ends by arms and spacedapart to define an open slot from end to end of the carrier, one of said arms havinga passage through it of greater width than the slot and communicating with the slot and said members having supporting surfaces upwardly convergent, and a plurality of fuel-supporting units mounted on said surfaces and having spaced seatsupwardly convergent, each unit having a neck PELSSIIIO through said slot and terminating in a transverse end piece'of greater axis of the carrier, and a passage formed in 7 lengththan the width of the slot, said end piece preventing free removal of the unit from the carrier.- a i 10. In a grate, bar, a carrier comprising a pair of spaced supporting members defining a slot in the carrier "extending from end to end thereof,and connections at the ends of said members, said members having supporting surfaces which are upwardly convergent,

and at least one connection having a passage on it communicating with the slot and of greater width than the slot.

(11. In agrate bar, a carrier comprising a pair of spaced supporting members defining aslot in the carrier andohaving supporting surfaces which converge upwardly, and arms connecting the .ends of said members, each arm-having a trunnion, and at least one of said arms having a passage in it communicatmg with said slot and of greater width than the slot. r V V 12. In a grate bar, a carrier comprising a pair of spaced supporting members defining a slot inthe carrier and having supporting surfaces which converge upwardly, and arms e connecting the ends of said members, at least onearm having a passage through it communicating with said slot, said passage being wider than the slot.

1 13. In a grate bar, a carrier made up of a pair of supporting members'connected at their ends and having top surfaces upwardly convergent, and a plurality of fuel-supporting units mounted on the carrier, each unit having a pair of pointed projections on its under surface, one side of each projection resting 1n contact with the top surface of one of said supporting members, said side being of less width than said surface, said members 7 being spaced to define a slot and-said units each having an extension entering said slot and having a portion underlying parts of said members along'the sides of said slot, said extensions fitting loosely within said slot'to permit said units to have an angular movement relative to said carrier upon rocking of the latter, said unit swinging upon one or the 7 other of its pointed projections as a pivot in said movement. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES S. THOMPSON. 

